Summary and Reaction to Chapter 3 (The Slow Hunch) of Steven Johnson’s book ‘Where Good Ideas Come From’ The main argument in the chapter is that great innovations are due to accumulative processes rather than spontaneous ‘eureka’ moments. Almost in any major technological or scientific innovation of modern times, the break-through was made possible by…
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Connections between human trafficking and environmental destruction
The connection between human trafficking and environmental destruction is not obvious at the outset. But a closer scrutiny of human trafficking reveals how it does lead to the degradation of the environment. When we study the life and works of luminary figures from past to present, they all acknowledge the centrality of human liberty for…
‘Social Death’ and ‘Possessive Individual’ according to Grace Hong
Grace Hong’s essay titled ‘The Possessive Individual and Social Death: The Complex Bind of National Subjectivity’ offers numerous insights into historical social constructs. Focusing on the evolution of American history since the time of the Declaration of Independence, the author charts a cogent description of how the socio-polity resisted progressive changes. The book is focused…
Malcolm Gladwell’s ideas and philosophy in The Tipping Point, as they apply to Occupy Wall Street Movement
Malcolm Gladwell has attempted to create a unique style of scholarship that navigates between science and popular culture. As a result he has earned the wrath from both quarters. For example, scientists accuse him for being simplistic or lacking in rigor. On the other side, commentators from mainstream media accuse him of bringing esoteric scientific…
The Ethics of Biomedical Enhancement: Consensus and Divergence Among Scholars
Two Categories of Biomedical Enhancement (BME) Even within the field of human biomedical enhancement (which is as yet at a theoretical stage) there are two categories. The first are common or corrective enhancements which aim to set right a deficiency (acquired congenitally or through life events) in a human individual. The second are radical or…
The Soundness of Selective Biomedical Enhancements
Enhancements are Integral to the Evolutionary Process Buchanan raises a few valid points in support of selective enhancements. He argues that enhancement is an integral feature of human existence[i]. For example, there are over-the-counter memory enhancement pills that many use. Nobody blinks an eye, let alone bring ethical considerations, in this case. Likewise, one could…
The Essence of Humanity and the Ethics of Biomedical Enhancement
Effects of BME on the Conventional Idea of Humanity, Human Relations, Intimacy and Reproductive Methods In Agar’s well researched book he articulates an important reason why radical enhancements should be forbidden. He argues that the very idea of humanity is intrinsically linked to certain species-specific values and perspectives. These are contained in our culture, art,…
Ethics of Biomedical Enhancement: Risks and Dangers of BME
Ethical Issues Surrounding Sex Selection During or Prior to Conception Whenever technological progress throws up great new possibilities there are also attendant ethical dilemmas relating to such possibilities. Such is the case with genetic engineering in general and human biomedical enhancement in particular. Allan Buchanan is well aware of some immediate pitfalls for society if…
Deming’s 14 Points: Continuous Improvement, Prevention of Defects and the SDSA and PDSA cycles
Deming’s 14 Points for Leadership in the Western World is a well rounded guide for achieving excellence in management. The 14 points or guidelines are applicable to any domain or industry. One of the key insights offered by Deming is how a high level of quality (or even a zero-defect production record) does not pre-empt…
What is meant by the moment of truth in service design
Moments of truths are those brief periods of communication between the customer and a service provider where either a positive or negative response is generated. For example, in a retail store all points of contact between the customer and service personnel are considered moments of truth. These include check-in, enquiries about products, bill settlement, check-out,…